Means for coupling a hand gun to an auxiliary stock

ABSTRACT

An automatic hand gun is attachable to and detachable from an auxiliary stock to convert the gun to a shoulder gun when desired by means of cooperating quick detachable coupling means, one of which is located on the bottom of a cartridge clip and the other of which is located at or on the end of the auxiliary stock.

United States Patent [191 Casull Mar. 26, 1974 [54] MEANS FOR COUPLING AHAND GUN TO 2324.125 7/1943 Van Horn et a1 42/72 N UX I STOCK 3.16296612/1964 LaCoss 42/72 [76] -lnventor: Richard J. Casull, 3270 Del MarDr., Salt Lake City, Utah 84109 [22] Filed: Mar. 23, 1973 [21] Appl.No.: 344,201

[52] U.S. Cl. 42/72 [51] Int. Cl. i v F4lc 23/00 [58], Field of Search.4 42/72, 7

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,276.572 8/1918 Rogers .442/72 Primary ExaminerBenjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-C. T.Jordan Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Emory L. Groff. Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT An automatic hand gun is attachable to and detachable froman auxiliary stock to convert the gun to a shoulder gun when desired bymeans of cooperating quick detachable coupling means, one of which is located on the bottom of a cartridge clip and the other of which islocated at or on the end of the auxiliary stock.

10 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PAIENTEU HARZB I974 SHEET 1 OF 2 MEANS FORCOUPLING A HAND GUN TO AN AUXILIARY STOCK This invention relates to acartridge clip for auto matic hand guns and means for quickly andsecurely attaching the clip to an auxiliary stock thereby permittingconversion of a hand gun to a shoulder gun and back to a hand gun asdesired by the user.

It is well known that the degree of accuracy normally achieved with ahand gun such as a revolver or automatic pistol is not as great as theaccuracy obtainable with a rifle or shoulder gun since the latter can besteadied with both of the users hands and receives the support providedby holding the gun against the users shoulder.

Efforts have been made in the past to adapt hand guns for use asshoulder guns; however, the results of such efforts have left much to bedesired so far as safety, simplicity and quickness of effecting theconversion are concerned One technique involves, for example, a stockattached by screws and nuts to the hand gun handle which results in amore or less permanent attachment of the stock and gun to each other.Other proposed solutions to the problem involve the use of a stockmember which has a socket or member for receiving the gun handle in aloose manner which re quires the user to hold the gun in the socket atall times while the gun is being used in association with the stock.

Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to overcomethese disadvantages and provide a cartridge clip for automatic hand gunswhich includes means on its bottom wall permitting a quick, detachablecoupling or connection with cooperating means on an auxiliary shoulderstock device to convert the hand gun to a shoulder gun.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shoulder gunconversion arrangement for automatic hand guns which does not interferewith normal hand use of the gun.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary stockfor hand guns which is readily separable for storage when not in use, islight-weight and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a safe, positiveconnection between a hand gun and auxiliary stock which permits use andtransport of the gun without the likelihood of accidental separation ofgun and stock.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means for connectingand disconnecting a hand gun and an auxiliary stock in the field withoutthe use of tools.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which may hereinafterappear, the invention consists of such parts and combination of parts asare more specifically described in the following specification andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation showing an automatic hand gun with acartridge clip of the present invention housed within the gun handle andconnected to the auxiliary stock.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the details of the clip andstock coupling means with parts of the clip and stock broken away.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing the couplingmeans of FIG. 2 in assembled position.

FIG. 4 is an end view, partly in section, taken on the line 44 of FIG.3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view, partly in section, showing theclip in position to be assembled with the stock coupling means.

FIGS. 6 through 9 each are exploded perspective views of modified formsof coupling means for the clip and stock.

Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 shows a typical automaticpistol 1 including a conventional hol low handle 2 adapted to receive acartridge clip 3, the lower portion only of which is shown in FIGS. 2-9of the drawings. The coupling means attached to the clip 3 comprises abase member 4 of generally U-shape in cross section including a bottomwall 5 and a peripheral upstanding wall 6 extending along both sides butonly along one end of the base member leaving the opposite end open. Thewall 6 of the base member is secured by welding, for example, to thebottom 7 of the clip 3 thus providing a space between the clip bottomand the bottom 5 of the base member for a purpose to be later described.The bottom wall 5 is provided at the open end of the base member 4 withan arcuate cut-out area 8 and keyhole slot 9 is located forwardly of thecut-out area 8.

The auxiliary stock designated generally as 10 is preferably formed of alight-weight metal and includes a shoulder engaging butt 11 at one endof an arm 12 extending angularly therefrom, the other end 13 of the armhaving coupling means mounted thereon for cooperation with the couplingmeans on the base member 4 of the clip when the stock is assembled withthe hand gun. One form of the aforementioned coupling means is shown toadvantage in FIG. 2 and comprises essentially a saddle 14 of generallyinverted U-shape provided with a pair of spaced threaded openings 15, 15in its top wall 16. The spacing between these openings corresponds tothat of openings l7, 17 in the arm 12 of the stock 10. Although only twoopenings are shown in the arm of the stock, additional appropriatelyspaced openings may be provided for adjustment of the distance betweenthe gun and the shoulder butt so as to suit individual requirements.

To attach the saddle 14 to arm 12, it is placed over the arm so that thethreaded openings 15, 15 and related openings 17, 17 are aligned andthen headed threaded fasteners 18, 18 including collars 18', 18' arepassed through the aligned openings and are fixed in the desiredfastening position by means of nuts l9, 19. The fasteners l8, 18 areadjustable vertically with respect to saddle 14 so that the heads 20, 20can project above the thickness of the bottom wall 5 whereby, when thebase member 4 is placed on the saddle 14 with the larger portion of thekeyhole slot 9 over the forwardmost fastener head 20, the cut-out area 8will clear the head 20 of the rearmost fastener and upon sliding theclip rearwardly in the direction of the arrow R in FIGS. 1 and 5, thecut-out area 8 and the narrow throat portion 9a in bottom wall 5 of thebase member will embrace the collars 18', 18' of the fasteners 18, 18just beneath the heads 20, 20. This arrangement together with thefriction fit between the upper surface of saddle 14 and lower surface ofbottom wall 5 of base member 4 provides a positive attachment of thehand gun to the stock such that the assembled members can be safelycarried without accidental separation, yet, they can readily beintentionally separated by holding the stock in one hand and giving thegun a quick jerk forward with the other hand. In addition to thebuilt-in frictional engagement between the opposed surfaces justdescribed, the direction of recoil always keeps the clip and gun forcedback toward the butt 11 to insure a tight fit between the clip andstock. The threaded fasteners 18, 18 can be adjusted vertically inthreaded openings 15, if necessary to compensate for wear between partsso that it is possible to further provide for a proper fit between theconnected members.

In the modification shown in FIG. 6, a tubular member 20 is secured tothe bottom surface of the clip 3 and telescopically receives the finger21 projecting from the end 13 of the stock 10 to provide a frictionalfit between the clip and stock.

FIG. 7 illustrates a coupling means whereby the clip 3 has an invertedT-shaped member 21 secured to its bottom surface. This member 21 isinserted into a generally flat tubular socket 22 mounted at the end 13of stock 10 to frictionally connect the clip and stock. The socket 22 isformed of a strip of sheet metal provided with a slot 23 in its topwall, one end of the slot being open to receive the vertical web 24 ofthe inverted T- shaped member, the other end of the slot being closed bystop members 25, 25.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment wherein the base of the clip 3 is providedwith a T-shaped groove 26 adapted to frictionally receive a tongue 27formed on the end 13 of the stock 10.

FIG. 9 illustrates a further embodiment wherein the end 13 of stock 10is provided with an elongated recess 28 in one side thereof whichcommunicates with a slot 29 in the top wall of end 13. A lever 30includes a nose 31 at its front end, an arm 32 medially thereof, afinger grip 33 at its rear end and is pivotally mounted in the recess 28by means of a pin 34 passing through an opening in arm 32. A coil spring35 has one end fixed in the side wall of recess 28 and its other end isattached to lever 30 along the inner edge opposite the finger grip 33and in its extended or normal position the spring urges the lever torotate around pivot pin 34 so that nose 31 is disposed within recess 28and beneath slot 29. The bottom wall 5 of clip 3 is provided with anelongated plate 36 normal to and depending therefrom, said plate havingan opening 37 large enough to accommodate the nose 31 of the lever. Toconnect the clip to the stock it is merely necessary to press the fingergrip 33 inwardly against the tension of spring 35 which causes nose 31of lever 30 to move out of recess 28. The plate 36 is then inserted intoslot 29 so that bottom wall 5 of the clip is flush with the top surfaceof the stock 10. Upon release of pressure on finger grip 33, lever 30will pivot under the urging of spring 35 causing nose 31 to pass throughopening 37 thus locking the clip in position. If desired, cooperatingcamming surfaces would be provided at the bottom edge of plate 36 and atthe inner edge of nose 31 whereby the nose would be cammed out of itsinoperative position when initially engaged by the surface of plate 36and the inner edge of the nose would snap into opening 37 when the clipand the end of the stock are in full contact position. The connectedmembers could readily be separated by pressing the finger grip inwardlyagainst the tension of the spring which would remove the nose 31 fromengagement in opening 37.

In all of the embodiments described above and illustrated in thedrawings, the connecting means attached to or forming part of the clipis such that it does not interfere with use of the clip in the automaticgun in the usual fashion apart from the auxiliary stock member. Saidconnecting means may, when appropriate, be formed integral with-the clipor it may be attached thereto by welding techniques or by use ofstructural adhesives such as epoxy resins.

It is within the scope of the invention to dispense with the saddlemember 14 as shown in FIGS. 1-5 and merely use fasteners 18 and nuts 19as the coupling means on the end 13 of stock 10. In such a case, itwould be preferable to have the openings 17, 17 threaded so as toprovide vertical adjustment for the fasteners.

I claim:

1. The combination of an automatic hand gun of the type including ahandle, a cartridge clip removably contained within the handle of thegun and an auxiliary stock for said gun, means for detachably connectingsaid gun to said stock when said cartridge clip is housed within saidhandle, said means comprising first coupling means on the bottom surfaceof said cartridge clip and second coupling means on said auxiliarystock.

2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said first couplingmeans comprises a base member including a bottom wall, said bottom wallprovided with at least one opening therein, said second coupling meansincluding at least one male member adjustably mounted on said stock forinsertion through said at least one opening, a portion of said malemember frictionally engaging a surface of said bottom wall.

3. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said first couplingmeans comprises a female member and said second coupling means comprisesa male member said female and male members frictionally engaging eachother.

4. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said first couplingmeans comprises a male member and said second coupling means comprises afemale member.

5. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said first couplingmeans comprises a base member including a bottom wall and a peripheralside wall, said bottom wall including a rear edge and a front edge, saidrear edge provided with an arcuate cut-out area, said bottom wall havinga keyhole slot located forwardly of said cut-out area, said auxiliarystock including at least a pair of spaced openings, said second couplingmeans including a pair of threaded headed fasteners the shanks of whichpass through said spaced openings in said stock, the heads of whichengage in said cut-out area and said keyhole slot and nuts threaded onthe ends of said shanks to fix the fasteners in position.

6. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said first couplingmeans comprises a base member including a bottom wall and a peripheralside wall, said bottom wall including a rear edge and a front edge, saidrear edge provided with an arcuate cut-out area, said bottom wall havinga keyhole slot located forwardly of said cut-out area, said auxiliarystock including a plurality of spaced openings at one end and a shoulderbutt at the opposite end, a saddle member including a top wall and sidewalls, said top wall having a pair of spaced threaded openings therein,a pair of threaded headed fasteners threadedly engaged in said spacedthreaded openings in said saddle member and passing through selectedrelated openings in said auxiliary stock to adjust the distance betweenthe gun and shoulder butt,

nuts threaded on the free ends of said fasteners to secure them in apredetermined position relative to said saddle with the heads thereofprojecting above the upper surface of the top wall of said saddlewhereby said gun and stock are assembled by engaging said fastener headsin said cut-out area and said keyhole slot in said clip and moving thegun rearwardly toward the shoulder butt.

7. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said first couplingmeans comprises a tubular member on the bottom of said clip and saidsecond coupling means comprises a finger projecting from one end of saidauxiliary stock, said tubular member and said finger providing atelescopic and frictional connection between said gun and stock.

8. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said first couplingmeans comprises an inverted T-shaped member on the bottom of said clipand said second coupling means comprises a generally flat tubular socketon one end of said auxiliary stock, said inverted T-shaped member andsaid generally flat tubular socket providing a telescopic and frictionalconnection between said gun and stock.

9. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said first couplingmeans comprises a T-shaped groove in the base of said clip and saidsecond coupling means comprises a tongue on one end of said auxiliarystock said T-shaped groove and said tongue providing a telescopic andfrictional connection between said gun and stock.

10. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said first couplingmeans comprises an elongated plate on the bottom wall of said clipnormal to and depending therefrom, said plate having an opening therein,and said second coupling means comprises a first slot provided in thetop wall of one end of said auxiliary stock. a second slot provided in aside wall of said stock and communicating with said first slot, a leverpivotally mounted in said second slot, said lever including a nose andspring means normally urging said nose into said second slot in an areabeneath said first slot whereby when said elongated plate is placedthrough said first slot the nose of said lever is engageable in theopening in said plate to provide a positive connection between said gunand stock.

1. The combination of an automatic hand gun of the type including ahandle, a cartridge clip removably contained within the handle of thegun and an auxiliary stock for said gun, means for detachably connectingsaid gun to said stock when said cartridge clip is housed within saidhandle, said means comprising first coupling means on the bottom surfaceof said cartridge clip and second coupling means on said auxiliarystock.
 2. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said firstcoupling means comprises a base member including a bottom wall, saidbottom wall provided with at least one opening therein, said secondcoupling means including at least one male member adjustably mounted onsaid stock for insertion through said at least one opening, a portion ofsaid male member frictionally engaging a surface of said bottom wall. 3.The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said first coupling meanscomprises a female member and said second coupling means comprises amale member said female and male members frictionally engaging eachother.
 4. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said firstcoupling means comprises a male member and said second coupling meanscomprises a female member.
 5. The combination set forth in claim 1wherein said first coupling means comprises a base member including abottom wall and a peripheral side wall, said bottom wall including arear edge and a front edge, said rear edge provided with an arcuatecut-out area, said bottom wall having a keyhole slot located forwardlyof said cut-out area, said auxiliary stock including at least a pair ofspaced openings, said second coupling means including a pair of threadedheaded fasteners the shanks of which pass through said spaced openingsin said stock, the heads of which engage in said cut-out area and saidkeyhole slot and nuts threaded on the ends of said shanks to fix thefasteners in position.
 6. The combination set forth in claim 1 whereinsaid first coupling means comprises a base member including a bottomwall and a peripheral side wall, said bottom wall including a rear edgeand a front edge, said rear edge provided with an arcuate cut-out area,said bottom wall having a keyhole slot located forwardly of said cut-outarea, said auxiliary stock including a plurality of spaced openings atone end and a shoulder butt at the opposite end, a saddle memberincluding a top wall and side walls, said top wall having a pair ofspaced threaded openings therein, a pair of threaded headed fastenersthreadedly engaged in said spaced threaded openings in said saddlemember and passing through selected related openings in said auxiliarystock to adjust the distance between the gun and shoulder butt, nutsthreaded on the free ends of said fasteners to secure them in apredetermined position relative to said saddle with the heads thereofprojecting above the upper surface of the top wall of said saddlewhereby said gun and stock are assembled by engaging said fastener headsin said cut-out area and said keyhole slot in said clip and moving thegun rearwardly toward the shoulder butt.
 7. The combination set forth inclaim 1 wherein said first coupling means comprises a tubular member onthe bottom of said clip and said second coupling means comprises afinger projecting from one end of said auxiliary stock, said tubularmember and said finger providing a telescopic and frictional connectionbetween said gun and stock.
 8. The combination set forth in claim 1wherein said first coupling means comprises an inverted T-shaped memberon the bottom of said clip and said second coupling means comprises agenerally flat tubular socket on one end of said auxiliary stock, saidinverted T-shaped member and said generally flat tubular socketproviding a telescopic and frictional connection between said gun andstock.
 9. The combination set forth in claim 1 wherein said firstcoupling means comprises a T-shaped groove in the base of said clip andsaid second coupling means comprises a tongue on one end of saidauxiliary stock said T-shaped groove and said tongue providing atelescopic and frictional connection between said gun and stock.
 10. Thecombination set forth in claim 1 wherein said first coupling meanscomprises an elongated plate on the bottom wall of said clip normal toand depending therefrom, said plate having an opening therein, and saidsecond coupling means comprises a first slot provided in the top Wall ofone end of said auxiliary stock, a second slot provided in a side wallof said stock and communicating with said first slot, a lever pivotallymounted in said second slot, said lever including a nose and springmeans normally urging said nose into said second slot in an area beneathsaid first slot whereby when said elongated plate is placed through saidfirst slot the nose of said lever is engageable in the opening in saidplate to provide a positive connection between said gun and stock.